Pneumatic panning or distributing machine.



No. 678,625. Patented IuIy l6, I90I. H. D. PERKY. PNEUMATIC PANNING 0R DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Sept. 29, 1900.\

(No Model.

No.1678,625. Patented Iuly l6, l9flll.

H. n. PERKV. PNEUMATIC PANIIING UR DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

- (Applicatioh filed Sept. 29, 1900.) (No IIodeI.) I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 678,625. PatentedIuIy l6, IQOII. H. n. PERKY. PNEUMATIG PANNING OB DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sapt. 29, 1900.) (lo Model.) 5 $heeIs-Sheat 3.

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No. 678,625. Patented July |6,- I90I.

. H. D. PERKY.

PNEUMATIC PANNING 0B DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 29, 1900) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

NT I- T WENT I JienTy-J. 1 6176 Patented July l6, l90l. I H. D. PEBKY.

PNEUMATIC PANNING 0R DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 29, 1900.) (No Ilodol.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

HENRY D. PERKY, OF WVQROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

PNEUMATIC PANNING OR DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 678,625, dated July 16, 1901. Application filed September 29, 1900. Serial No. 31,554- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, HENRY D. PERKY, a citi zen of the United States, and a resident of Worcester, in the county of lVorcester and 5. State of Massachusetts, have made certain others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the invention, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of myinvention,partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the main portion of the machine, the feeding or carrier chain and divider-chains being omitted. Fig.

3 is a section on the lineasw, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line y y, Fig. 1, showing a small opening y from the suction-chain to the atmosphere. Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, showing two pneumatic chambers H and H. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the valve-plate. Figs.7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are detail views of one of the upper divider or section links e.

The invention relates to the preparation of articles of food, and particularly to the formation and distribution of crackers, biscuits,

time, in regular order, as in panning the same for baking, the object being not only to facilirate the preparation of food in large quantities, but also to promote its sanitary character by avoiding all handling.

The invention consists in providing a pneumatic transfer in combination with a carrier, in the novel construction and combinations of parts constituting a pneumatic transfer or distributer, in the novel construction and combinations of parts constituting a continuously-acting cutting and panning machine wherein the transfer is made bya pneumatic device, and finally in the novel construction and combinations of devices for the purposes set forth, all as hereinafter more particularly described.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates framework of substantial character and preferably of iron.

B represents an endless feeding belt or carrier, consisting of short sectional plates or troughs b, on which the ribbon of food mate= rial is conveyed, being usually fed thereto by a series of reducing-machines (indicated at O O O) or in any other desirable manner.

When reducing-machines such as are indicated in the drawings are employed, it is designed that the ribbon or continuous layer of material shall be formed by shredding the grain, as described in patents which I have heretofore obtained. In such a combination, therefore, it is intended that the grain shall not be touched by hand from the time it is grown in the field until after it is cooked and ready for use as food.

The short sectional plates or troughs b of the endless carrier B are provided with rollers b b in order that they shall travel freely on the ways or tracks p, provided in the framing. Between the sectional plates or troughs la b is a narrow interval of separation b for the passage of devices which serve to divide the ribbon of food material into sections.

D represents the lower endless divider or cutter chain, which consists of a belt of links d, having rollers 61, which serve to facilitate their movement on the ways or tracks q of the framing, these ways or tracks having a slight arch or rise at q, whereby an upward movement of the cutter-links d is gradually effected in order to cause the separator-blades d of said links to pass upward through the intervals of separation 12 of the feeding belt or carrier B. Each link (Z is provided with a blade (1 which is transversely arranged in the link-body and secured thereto either rigidly or adj ustably, as may be found desirable.

The links of the lower divider belt or chain D are arranged to break joints with the trough links b in order that the blades of the former shall have proper position to pass upward through the interval between the troughlinks.

Compared with the length of the feedingcarrier B the lower divider-chain is short, be ing designed only to assist in effecting the separation of the material on the carrier B into sections.

E represents the endless chain of suction links e e, which are provided with rollers e e,

to facilitate their movement on the tracks or ways 0 of the framing. In the construction shown in the drawings this endless chain E is arranged above the carrier B and is geared to move at the same rate of speed therewith, as is also the lower divider-chain D. Each link 6 of the chain E carries a divider-blade 6 which may be rigidly secured to its frame or may be made adjustable or even removable, as in some cases it may be desirable to include the length of several links in a section of the food material on the carrier. The section-link'e consists of a rectangular tubular or open frame, its upper portion having an opening f communicating with a passage f through the link, the lower portion of said passage being also open, but covered or guarded by a wire-cloth or perforated bearing a, the design being to allow air to pass upward or downward through the link freely, as may be required in the operation of the machine. The upper surface of the link 6 is designed to move along in approximate contact with a valve;seat g, as indicated int-he framing, said valve-seat being provided for use in connection with a transverse reciprocating valve plate G.

The endless suction-chain E extendsbeyond the endless carrier B and the endless divider-chain D sufficiently to include the pneumatic chamber or chambers H H.

v Usually a single pneumatic chamber H will be sufficient, this being a suction or exhaust chamber, kept in exhausted condition by means of a suitable exhaust-fan, the passage to which is indicated at 70; but if the foodsections are of such character that they adhere too closely to the wire-cloth bearings a of the suction-links it may be necessary to employ the pressure-chamber H, which is provided with a connection to a blower-fan. An opening for the admission of atmospheric air when the suction is cut off will, however, usually prove suificient to release the biscuit or cracker section from the wire-cloth bearing a, which should be treated with pa-raffin.

The valve-plates G are arranged in series in ways or seats of the frame, these being located in the lower portion or bottom of the pneumatic chamber. The number of valveplates maybe equal to one or two more than the number of biscuits or food-sections designed to form a row on the pan or receiver. Each valve-plate is designed to operate in conjunction with a link of the suction-chain above described, as such link comes into position or nearly into position below it. The series of valve-plates corresponds with the series of openings m of the pneumatic chamher, and such series is of suitable length to correspond with the length of the pan or receiver, such as indicated at N, Fig. 1, so that when these openings or suction-passages are closed by means of the valve-plates the foodsections will be deposited on the pan in a row. Besides the openings m openings are provided in the bottom of the first portion of the pneumatic chamber. The latter openings are not provided with valve-plates, as they are designed to be in continuous action, serving to convey 'the food-sections or biscuits from the carrier B to the valved portion of the pneumatic chamber, where the depositing operation is effected.

The valve-plates G are provided with air passages or openings gand with stop or cutoff portions g".

Below that portion of the pneumatic chamber which is provided with valves is located the pan-carrier table N, which consists of an adjustable frame provided with bearings for the shafts of the sprocket-wheels s, which,

carry the transverse sprocket-chains S or endless carriers on which the pans or trays are laid. These sprocket-chains are intermittently operated by means of a pawl F and a ratchet-wheel T, of which one of the teeth (indicated at t) is longer circumferentially than the other teeth tin order to provide sufficient movement of the pans where they lie adjacent to each other to pass from the last row of biscuit-sections of a filled pap to the place of deposit onthe succeeding pan where the first row of biscuit-sections is to be dropped. The ratchet-wheel T is operated through the pawl F and pivoted connection Why the crank or eccentric J, which is carried on the end of a shaft I, which also carries aseries of circular cams V V, each of which corresponds to one of the valve-plates. The cams V are each formed with a circumferential depression 1;, the depression of each succeeding cam being a little longer than that of the preceding cam and so arranged that while the rear inclines v are in line with each other and designed to operate together the forward inclines o are spirally arranged, so that they will act in succession. A series of arms Z are pivoted to the framing or to the wall of the pneumatic chamber, said arms corresponding in number to the valve-plates and being provided with projections 2, whereby they engage the circular cams hereinbefore referred to. The free ends of the arms Z are designed to engage projections or arms of the valve-plates G and serve to give motion to said plates when the cams are rotating. Reverse motion is given to the Valve-plates by means of springs L, arranged on the stems of the valve-plates, said springs engaging arms a of the framing through perforations in which the stems pass. The valve-plates are adjustable, the stems being threaded and provided with nuts for the purpose.

The shaft I, carrying the cams, is operated from the shaft of the end sprocket-wheel E of the endless chain E by means of bevelgearing, (indicated at 1'.)

Under the arrangement indicated while the valves are opened successively to avoid waste of the exhaust they are closed simultaneously, so that a row of biscuits or foodsections is dropped from the links of the pneumatic belt E to the receiver of the pan on the carrier-table.

The connecting arm or rod W, which extends from the eccentric J to the pawl F, is usually pivoted at w to provide for lateral play, which is advisable in order to allow adjustment of the pan-carrier frame to accommodate said frame to the drop movement of the valves. This adjustment may be effected by the hand-screw M, having a pivotal seat in the framing.

Q indicates a rotary brush, which is designed to act upon the trough-links of the carrier-belt to keep them clean. i

The operation may be described as follows: The trough-carrier links conveying the ribbon of food material as it is formed thereon by deposit from the red ucing-machines move along the tracks of the framing and pass between the lower divider-chain and the suction-belt. The links of these belts being provided with knives or blades, which operate, preferably, by a pressing or abutting movement, serve to subdivide the band or ribbon of food material into sections. After this subdivision the lower chain of cutter-links leaves the work and the chain of trough-links having conveyed the food-sections under the pneumatic chamber also leaves the work. The biscuits or food-sections being now taken up by the exhaust and being carried in contact with the wirecloth bearings a along under the pneumatic chamber reach the valved portion, which is normally closed by the mechanism. As each link of the chain E comes under the series of valves a valve is opened, continuing the suction until a sufficient number of biscuits has been carried along the valved portion from a row, when the valves are closed simultaneously and all the biscuits of said row are dropped or deposited on the pan or receiver below. This pan or receiver remains stationary long enough to receive the row of biscuits and is then moved transversely by the action of the ratchet-andpawl mechanism or other suitable manner the proper distance to attain a position to receive the next row of biscuits, and the action of the valves being repeated a second row of biscuits is deposited alongside the first row.

In the construction illustrated four rows of biscuits are apportioned to each pan, and the fourth ratchet-tooth is made sufficiently longer than the others to allow in the movement of the pancarrier chains for the interval between the pans.

It will be observed that the drop motion of the valves, wherein they simultaneously close off the exhaust, is intermittent, taking place in the intervals of the intermittent motion of the pamcarrier. In other words, when the pan-carrier is still the simultaneous cut-off or drop motion of the valves takes place quickly enough to allow time for the drop of the biscuits to the pan before the latter is again shifted. To effect this movement of the valves and the movement of the pan-can riers, the cam-shaft is usually connected to the shaft of the end pulley of the chain E by means of bevel'gearing. In some cases, however, the receiver may have continuous movement.

The machine may be run by means of power applied to a shaft F and gearing F, operating the shafts of the sprocket-wheels B of the feeding-chain D of the lower cutter-chain and E of the pneumatic chain.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 15- i 1. A pneumatic panning or distributive depositing-machine, consisting of an endless belt having open sections provided with perforated or wire-cloth bearings, and adapted to operate in connection with a transversely- 1I1UVlDgl6C6lV61,ZtI1d an exhaust-chamber having valved openings, substantially as specified.

2. In a pneumatic panning or distributive depositing-machine, an endless belt having open sections provided with perforated or wire-clothbearings,substantiallyas specified.

3. An endless chain or belt having open sections provided with divider-blades, and perforated or wire-cloth bearings, substantially as specified.

4. In a pneumatic panning or distributive depositing-machine, the combination with an exhaust-chamber, and its valved openings, of an endless belt of open links, and perforated or wire-cloth bearings attached to the bottoms of said links, substantially as specified.

5. In a pneumatic panning or distributive depositingmachine, the combination with an endless feeding-carrier, and chain cutters or dividers operating in conjunction therewith, of an exhaust-chamber having valved openings, an endless belt of suction-links, and de vices for operating the parts, substantially as specified.

6. The combination with an exhaust-chamber, its openings and valves, an open liuk suction-belt,an endless feeding-belt and transverse endless pan-carriers, of devices for giving reciprocating motion to said valves, and intermittent motion to said pan-carriers, substantially as specified.

7. The combination with a pneu matic chamber, its openings and valves, the open-link suction-belt, and the transverse receiver, of the endless feediilgbeit, the series of valveoperating cams and devices, the cam-shaft and eccentric and the ratchet-and-pawl devices in connection with said eccentric, for giving intermittent motion to said receiver, substantially as specified.

8. The combination with a pneumatic exhaust-chamber, and an endless feeding belt or carrier, of a suction-belt operating in connection with said exhaust-chamber, valve-devices for cutting off the exhaust, a transverse receiver and mechanism for giving intermitand a transversely-inoving receiver, subs'c-arr tent motion to said receiver, and alternate in tially as specified. 1o termittent cut-01f motion to said valve 1e- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature Vices, substantially as specified. in presence of two Witnesses.

5 9. The combination with a pneumatic exhaust, its valves, and a continuousfeed-belb Witnesses: of an endless suction-belt operating in con- MAUD Y. ANDERSON, nection with said exhaust, valves and feed, BERTHA E. SUTTON.

HENRY D. PERKY. 

